Building our family through IVF

Panhandling for IVF

I first saw this couple on the news. The wife, Jessica, was standing on a street corner holding a sign, “Need Help 4 In Vitro.” Obviously it piqued my interest. The couple seem like absolutely lovely people; likely candidates for Parents of the Year. After I swooned over their cuteness, it hit me–why are medical issues selectively not funded by insurance? Think about this with me for a second. God forbid, if you have a disease, such as heart disease, cancer, or diabetes, insurance has your back. I know there are annoying copays, etc., so I’ll avoid getting into the minutia of it all, but let’s get back to the big picture.

Infertility is a DISEASE according to the World Health Organization. Anytime your body isn’t performing basic functions, you’d expect insurance to kick in after a certain point and help alleviate the financial burden. The sad fact is many infertility treatments are not covered by many insurance plans in the US. Your body can’t perform a basic function, and you’re stuck there scratching your head trying to figure out how you’re going to achieve the family you’ve dreamed about since you were a little kid. Infertility in our country is a disease that’s often treated differently according to your socioeconomic status or your employers choice of insurance plan. It’s a classic case of the “haves” and the “have nots.” Those who can afford treatment, or are lucky enough to have insurance coverage are the ones who get it. Those who cannot are left reeling, heartbroken, and with very, very few options.

I know someone is going to think it, so let’s just address it right now–“just adopt” right? Adopting an infant in the US will run you a grand total of about $40K. There’s no “just” about that. We have to bridge the gap! We need to figure out how to end this disparity and get kids who need loving homes TO loving homes. Foster care is definitely one option, and it’s a lovely option, but it shouldn’t be the only option for less fortunate infertile couples. People should have choices when it comes to family building. What works for one person doesn’t work for everyone. Congress needs to step in and mandate insurance coverage. I will keep going back to D.C. every year until big changes happen. Hopefully I won’t have a full head of gray hair by the time there is insurance coverage in every state.

Until then, this adorable couple, the Hilarious Gales, could really use your help. If every one of my Facebook friends donated JUST $2.60 they can get the treatment they need to create the family of their dreams. That’s less than a Starbucks, a gallon of gas, or a package of pens from Staples, folks! You’d be helping to create a life! If you can help them out and they reach their goal, Jessica is going to shave her head. Bald! AND donate her hair to kids with cancer. You’re helping two awesome causes with less than three bucks. Just do itttttttt!